Self-sealing closet flange

ABSTRACT

A closet flange system with attached bolts on the anterior surface and a beveled edge on the posterior surface, a groove on the anterior surface fhr an O-ring to form a seal between the bottom of the toilet and the anterior edge of the closet flange. The anterior surface is connected to a midsection of the closet flange, which includes a keeper ring, securing the position of the closet flange within a drain pipe by preventing removal. An additional O-ring may be positioned on the midsection to block fluid and gas from the drain from rising to contact the keeper ring or escaping outside of the drain pipe. The beveled edge guides the end of the flange into the drain pipe. The system includes bolts which attach the closet flange to the bottom of the toilet before the system is attached to the drain pipe at the floor surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/930,461 titled, “Self-Sealing ClosetFlange” filed Jun. 28, 2013, which is fully incorporated herein in itsentirety by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to construction, and more specifically to asystem and method for the installation of a plumbing flange.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plumbing repairs are required in both new construction homes and as wellas existing homes. Traditionally, a water closet, commode, or toilet isattached to the floor surface via a water closet flange also known as acloset flange or toilet flange. A closet flange is a pipe fitting thatconnects the toilet to the floor and connects the toilet drain to thefloor drain pipe. Typically, a wax ring or glue seals any space betweenthe flange and the bottom of the toilet to prevent the escape ofpotentially hazardous gases or fluids. The toilet is usually bolted tothe flange after the flange is installed in the drain. The flange istypically made of PVC, cast iron, brass or steel pipe. Closet flangesare usually positioned between the bottom of a toilet and the bathroomfloor surface so that any water flushed from the toilet goes directlyinto the floor drain pipe. A partial section of drain pipe must beexposed for installation of the traditional closet flange since thetraditional closet flange is usually installed around the outside of thepipe. A damaged or broken closet flange presents numerous problems suchas leaking of water or sewer gases, which may cause damage to connectedrooms.

Oftentimes, the drain pipe is surrounded by cardboard and concrete thatmust be trimmed away before installation of the toilet flange. Plumbersmust dig out cardboard, chisel surrounding concrete, glue flange toexterior of drain pipe and cut the drain pipe to the proper height toaccommodate the wax ring. Even if the traditional flange were insertedinside the drain pipe, the opening of the PVC pipe would be too small.The installation process can last 20-30 minutes and at least two (2)people are usually required to position the toilet properly over drainpipe on floor surface. With a traditional closet flange, there is novisibility underneath the toilet as the plumber attempts to set thetoilet above the drain pipe and keep the rectangular bolts upright inthe flange slots. Two plumbers are typically required so that one canlower the toilet and the second can view the underside of the toilet asit is lowered to the drain pipe and keep the rectangular bolts in place.

In addition, a wax ring is usually placed at the floor surface betweenthe bottom of the toilet and the drain pipe to create a seal to preventthe escape of sewage gases and fluids. An ideal wax ring is large enoughto form a good seal between the toilet and the floor but not so large asto create a pipe obstruction once the wax ring is compressed. The heightof the wax ring will depend on the amount of space between the floor andthe toilet such that a taller wax ring is required for a larger space.Care must be taken to use the proper size wax ring or a pipe obstructionmay be created from excess wax.

The length of the bolt required may vary from installation toinstallation and depends on the height of the wax ring as well as thedistance between the floor and the pipe surface underneath the toilet.Most of the time, the chosen bolt will be too long and will have to becut after installation of the toilet so that the bolt covers may beattached. In addition, the bolts used to attach the flange to the toiletare also subject to corrosion over time, which may also contribute toleaking from an unsecured toilet flange. When the plumber needs toremove a corroded bolt, oftentimes the nut won't unscrew since the boltthreads are also corroded. In order to remove the corroded nut and/orbolt, the plumber will have to first saw the nut off.

Traditional closet flanges are subject to wear and tear resulting inrust and/or corrosion of the components of the closet flange. With aweakened closet flange, there is no advance notice of a leak untilhazardous water or gas is already on a floor surface, in a bathroom orleaking into a building structure. At that point, people have alreadybeen exposed to the potentially hazardous material by stepping, walkingor crawling in, breathing or touching it. Plumbing leaks can also damagesurrounding properties or units in cases of multi-level apartments orcommercial building structures. A single leak can quickly spread andcause extensive damage to a property.

The self-sealing closet flange was created to address many of theshortfalls of the traditional closet flange. In this embodiment, theself-sealing closet flange is made of stainless steel and notsusceptible to rust or corrosion, which would weaken the closet flange.The bolts of the self-sealing closet flange are attached and made of thesame long lasting material as the self-sealing closet flange. Theself-sealing closet flange prevents leaks from the bottom of the toiletwithout use of the messy wax ring. The self-sealing closet flange can beplaced either inside or outside the drain pipe, which may either extendabove the floor surface or be cut flush with the floor surface. Theentire self-sealing closet flange is attached to the bottom of thetoilet before the toilet placed in position on floor. The self-sealingcloset flange also provides increased space between the floor surfaceand the toilet bottom since there is no wax ring and allows for easierinstallation of the self-sealing closet flange over a broken toiletflange or for a new installation. In addition, no post-installationadjustment is required since the self-sealing closet flange is alreadyattached to bottom of toilet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present system and method involves a self-sealing closet flange. Theself-sealing closet flange is made from a single casting of steel,brass, aluminum, plastic, or a similarly sturdy and reliable material.The self-sealing closet flange is comprised of a flat circular anteriorend with a center opening, attached bolts and an O-ring groovepositioned between the attached bolts and the center opening. Themid-section of the self-sealing closet flange is attached to the lowerside of the anterior end and is composed of a tubular section of asimilar diameter as the center opening at the anterior end with a keeperring and groove around the tubular section. The posterior end of theself-sealing closet flange is attached to the midsection and is alsocomposed of a tubular section of similar diameter with a beveled edge tothe center opening and the midsection. In addition to the traditionaltoilet, the self-sealing closet flange may also be used for wallcommodes and urinals.

The benefit of the self-sealing closet flange is that leaks are unlikelyto occur, and if they do, the frequency will be much lower than theleaks that occur approximately every 4-5 years with traditional closetflanges and wax rings. In addition, the self-sealing closet flangegreatly reduces the spread of disease caused by leaks of sewer gases andfluids. The toilet installed with the self-sealing closet flange willalso not sway if a bolt is loose or corroded or if the wax ring isdamaged since the flange is attached to the toilet. Typical residentialdrain pipes are below the concrete slab and made of PVC. Traditionalflanges are also made of PVC so that it can be glued to the PVC drainpipe. The self-sealing closet flange may be made of stainless steelwhich doesn't require gluing to the drain pipe to be secure. Thestainless steel self-sealing closet flange also prevents frequentcorrosion and degradation of the self-sealing closet flange. Typicalcommercial buildings have drain pipes below the concrete, also made ofPVC, but above the concrete. Drain pipes are usually made of cast ironto prevent the release of toxic eases from PVC into the commercialstructure. The self-sealing closet flange works with both PVC and castiron since it is preferably constructed of stainless steel. Overall, theself-sealing closet flange is a quicker, less complicated flange that ischeaper to install since there are not multiple components as with thetraditional closet flange.

The anterior portion of the self-sealing closet flange is a round,circular disk with a center opening. The center opening is similar indiameter to the drain pipe, There is a depression or groove between thecenter opening and the outer edge of the anterior end of theself-sealing closet flange. In this embodiment, an O-ring may be placedin this anterior groove to create a seal between the toilet and theself-sealing closet flange. The seal created by the O-ring and thebottom surface of the toilet eliminates the need for a messy wax ringand also increases the available space between the floor surface thebottom of the toilet. The casting of the self-sealing closet flange alsoincludes dual bolts attached to the upper surface of the anterior end atopposite sides of said anterior end. The heads of the attached bolts areflush with the underside of the anterior end of the self-sealing closetflange. The threaded shanks of the attached bolts rise above the upperside of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange, In thisembodiment, there are two (2) bolts, which are positioned directlyacross from one another on opposite sides of the self-sealing closetflange. In this embodiment, the attached bolts are rectangular shapedbolt heads. With attached bolts, there is no need to estimate the sizeof the bolts required for flange installation nor is there a need to sawoff excess bolt in order to attach bolt covers after installation. Theattached bolts save materials and time and therefore lower the cost offlange installation.

The self-sealing closet flange also contains at least one groove for anO-ring or similar device. An O-ring or toric joint, is a loop ofelastomer with a round cross section, which can be seated in the grooveof the self-sealing closet flange. Once the toilet, with theself-sealing closet flange, is positioned over the drain pipe, a seal iscreated without the necessity of the messy wax ring. There may also be agroove at the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange for a secondO-ring. The secondary groove may be positioned inside or outside Theseal is designed to have a point of contact between the O-ring and thesealed surfaces, which allows the O-ring to handle high pressure andstress. The flexibility of the O-ring allows use with a variety ofsurfaces and materials. The O-ring seals the connection points betweenthe surfaces, preventing the escape of fluids or gases. The O-ringreplaces the function of the wax ring used with the traditional flange.The self-sealing closet flange uses an O-ring to create a seal andprevent gas and fluid from leaking out of the drain pipe and onto thefloor surface. In use, an O-ring would be placed in the upper O-ringgroove; the attached bolts would be inserted into the correspondingholes at the bottom of the toilet before the self-sealing closet flangeand toilet were placed over the drain pipe in the floor surface. AnO-ring may also be placed in the lower O-ring groove, at theself-sealing closet flange midsection, to prevent fluids or gas fromrising above the self-sealing closet flange.

A single self-sealing closet flange can be used on drain pipes ofvarying sizes depending on whether the closet flange will be outside orinside the pipe. In this embodiment, the self-sealing closet flange ispositioned inside the drain pipe and the space between the self-sealingcloset flange and drain pipe is filled by an O-ring positioned aroundthe exterior edge of the self-sealing closet flange mid section in anO-ring depression. This secondary O-ring and O-ring depression preventsthe escape of fluids or gases outside of the drain pipe. If theself-sealing closet flange is instead placed outside the drain pipe, theO-ring, O-ring depression and keeper ring will be positioned on theinterior surface of the self-sealing closet flange mid-section.

The keeper ring is located along the midsection of the self-sealingcloset flange and surrounds the circumference of the midsection, in thisembodiment. The keeper ring is a ring of teeth or protrusions thatsecure the self-sealing closet flange within the pipe. However, in analternative embodiment, wherein the ring has at least one tooth orprotrusion, the function would be similar as an entire ring ofprotrusions. The teeth fold in as the self-sealing closet flange isinserted into drain pipe. If the self-sealing closet flange is pulled inthe opposite direction, the teeth will fold out as more upward pressureis applied to the self-sealing closet flange, which prevents the removalof the self-sealing closet flange. As any amount of upward pressure isapplied to the self-sealing closet flange, the protrusions of the keeperring will become embedded in the drain pipe surface, preventing removalof the self-sealing closet flange. Whether there are a few or many teethor protrusions, the protrusions will prevent the removal of theself-sealing closet flange as the teeth embed themselves into the drainpipe. A full ring or band of teeth or protrusions is the preferredembodiment however. The inserted self-sealing closet flange can beadjusted by twisting and side to side movements but cannot be removedwith upward or downward pressure. The teeth or protrusions may be avariety of shapes such as round, pointed, rectangular, serrated, or anyother shape that will prevent removal of the self-sealing closet flangefrom a drain pipe. However, should the user desire to insert theself-sealing closet flange around the drain pipe, the O-ring, O-ringdepression, and keeper ring could instead be located on the interior ofthe self-sealing closet flange. Should the user decide to remove theself-sealing closet flange from the drain pipe, the user can saw throughthe self- sealing closet flange, up to but not through the drain pipe,and remove the pieces of the split self-sealing closet flange. Once theself-sealing closet flange system is in place, caulk may be applied atthe point connecting the base of the toilet and the floor surface toprevent movement.

The present system also includes a secondary O-ring depression andO-ring positioned on the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange,beneath the keeper ring, to create a seal between the self-sealingcloset flange and drain pipe. The secondary O-ring depression and O-ringserves to prevent fluids or gases from escaping the pipe drain. If thedrain pipe surface is not flat, then a gasket may be used in place ofO-ring. Gaskets can fill irregularities between uneven mating surfacesto fill space and create seals to prevent leakage. The position of theO-ring depression and O-ring also prevents fluids or gas frominteracting with the keeper ring, since the keeper ring is above theO-ring depression and O-ring and closer to the anterior end of theself-sealing closet flange. If water or other fluids came in contactwith the keeper ring, the keeper ring may start to rust or deteriorate.Since the keeper ring stays dry in the present system, it should notrequire replacement due to rust or corrosion.

The bottom or posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is beveledor notched to increase its flexibility and ease of insertion into thedrain pipe. The beveled edge of the posterior end allows for theinsertion of the self-sealing closet flange into drain pipes of variedsizes.

The entire self-sealing closet flange system is faster to replace than atraditional closet flange and wax ring because there are fewercomponents to the system and installation can be accomplished with asingle person. There is no need to remove the old flange in order toinstall the self-sealing closet flange. The user can also avoid wastingmaterials by cutting excess pipe or bolts. The self-sealing closetflange is secured to the floor and toilet without the support of theconcrete around the drain pipe. In a traditional system, concrete andcardboard surrounding the drain pipe would need to be chiseled awaybefore the toilet flange could be installed. The self-sealing closetflange system can be installed with a single person, whereas thetraditional closet flange installation is usually a two-person task. Theself-sealing closet flange is also not as messy as traditional closet ortoilet flange system since a wax ring is not required. The self-sealingcloset flange can be replaced without the need to chip away any concreteor floor surface material surrounding the drain pipe, as is requiredwith traditional closet flanges.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a self-sealing closetflange that is not susceptible to wear and tear and does not requirereplacement on a regular basis.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the time and laborrequired fbr the installation of toilet flanges.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-sealingcloset flange that seals without the requirement of a messy wax ring.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-sealingcloset flange that prevents leaks and potential damage to floor surfaceand building structures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-sealingcloset flange that can be installed without disturbing the floor surfaceto reveal the top of the drain pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the self-scaling closet flange installedbeneath a toilet and inside a drain pipe;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the anterior end of the self-sealing closetflange;

FIG. 3 is an interior view of the self-sealing closet flange;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the self-sealing closet flange;

FIG. 5 is an interior, cut away view of the self-sealing closet flange,showing an alternative embodiment for placement on the outside of adrain pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

While the above description is of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, it should be appreciated that the invention may bemodified, altered, or varied without deviating from the scope and fairmeaning of the following claims.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-4, the self-sealing closet flange is acloset or toilet flange that connects the toilet drain and the drainpipe from the floor surface. The entire self-sealing closet flangesystem is attached to the bottom of a toilet, wherein the attachedself-sealing closet flange and toilet are placed above a drain pipe onthe floor surface. The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flangeincludes attached bolts, a groove, and a center opening. The midsectionof the self-sealing closet flange includes a keeper ring with a seriesof teeth or protrusions, a second groove. The posterior end of theself-sealing closet flange is beveled for easier insertion of theposterior end into a drain pipe.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the self-sealing closet flange installedbeneath a toilet and inside a drain pipe.

In FIG. 1, Ref 1 is the center opening of the self-sealing closetflange;

-   Ref. 2 is the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 3 is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 4 is the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 5 is an attached bolt at the anterior end of the self-sealing    closet flange;-   Ref. 6 is the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet    flange;-   Ref. 7 is an O-ring in the groove at the anterior end of the    self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref 8 is the keeper ring at the midsection of the self-sealing    closet flange;-   Ref. 9 is a protrusion of the keeper ring;-   Ref. 10 is the groove in the midsection of the self-sealing closet    flange;-   Ref. 11 is an O-ring in the groove at the midsection of the    self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 12 is the beveled edge at the posterior end of the self-sealing    closet flange;-   Ref. 13 is a toilet;-   Ref. 14 is the floor surface;-   Ref. 15 is the drain pipe.

Unlike the traditional flange system, the self-scaling closet flangeprovides a considerable amount of space between the floor surface andthe toilet bottom despite the presence of the self-sealing closetflange. The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange includesattached bolts with the bolt head flush to the bottom side of theanterior end of the self-sealing closet flange and the shank of the boltdirected above the top side of the anterior end of the self-sealingcloset flange. Immediately below the anterior end of the self-sealingcloset flange is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. Themidsection is a section of flange that is a similar circumference as thecenter opening. Water or waste would flow from the toilet, through thecenter opening and through the midsection of the self-sealing closetflange. A keeper ring is positioned on the outer surface of theself-sealing closet flange. The keeper ring is a ring of protrusions orteeth surrounding the outside of the midsection of the self-sealingcloset flange.

As the self-sealing closet flange is inserted into the drain pipe, theteeth will fold inward to facilitate insertion of the self-sealingcloset flange into the drain pipe. If the self-sealing closet flange ispulled in an upward direction in an attempt to remove the self-sealingcloset flange, the teeth will fold or bend outward and prevent theremoval of the self-sealing closet flange from the drain pipe. Asecondary groove and O-ring are positioned immediately below the keeperring on the outer surface of the midsection of the self-sealing closetflange and fills any space existing between the interior of the drainpipe and the exterior of the self-sealing closet flange. The secondaryO-ring should be of sufficient girth to prevent the escape of anynoxious gases or waste fluids from the drain pipe. The bottom of theposterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is of a slightly smallerdiameter than the midsection or the center opening allowing forstraightforward insertion of the self-sealing closet flange into thedrain pipe. In addition, the bottom of the posterior end may also bebeveled or notched. Once water or waste passes through the midsection ofthe self-sealing closet flange, it would then pass through the posteriorend and through the drain pipe.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the anterior end of the self-sealing closetflange.

In FIG. 2, Ref. I is the center opening of the self-sealing closetflange;

-   Ref. 2 is the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 5 is an attached bolt at the anterior end of the self-sealing    closet flange;-   Ref. 6 is the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet    flange;-   Ref. 7 is an O-ring in the groove at the anterior end of the    self-sealing closet flange.

The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is a round, circularsurface with a center opening, or hole in the middle of the anteriorend. There is an outer edge of the anterior end and an inner edge of theanterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. The outer edge has alarger circumference than the inner edge, wherein the inner edge is alsothe top portion of the center opening. The center opening is of asimilar diameter to the drain pipe since any water from the toilet willpass through the center opening towards the drain pipe. A groove ordepression is positioned between the inner edge of the anterior end andthe outer edge of the anterior end. In this embodiment, an O-ring isplaced in the groove or depression to create a seal between the bottomof the toilet and the top surface of the anterior end of theself-sealing closet flange.

The self-sealing closet flange also includes two attached bolts, in thisembodiment. The attached bolts are positioned directly across from oneanother. The bolts are created during a single casting of the entireself-sealing closet flange such that the heads of said attached boltsare flush with the bottom side of the anterior end and the threadedshank of the attached bolts rises above the top side of the anterior endof the self-sealing closet flange. In use, the self-sealing closetflange would be attached to the bottom of the toilet by inserting theattached bolts of the self-sealing closet flange through the precutholes at the base of the toilet. After the combination of the toilet andattached self-sealing closet flange are installed over the drain pipe,bolt caps would be screwed over the shanks of the attached bolts tocomplete installation and to cover the exposed bolts.

FIG. 3 is an interior, cut away view of the self-sealing closet flange,which shows the anterior end, midsection and posterior end of theself-sealing closet flange.

In FIG. 3. Ref. I is the center opening of the self-sealing closetflange;

-   Ref. 2 is the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 3 is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 4 is the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 5 is an attached bolt at the anterior end of the self-sealing    closet flange;-   Ref. 6 is the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet    flange;-   Ref. 7 is an O-ring in the groove at the anterior end of the    self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 8 is the keeper ring at the midsection of the self-sealing    closet flange;-   Ref. 10 is the groove in the midsection of the self-sealing closet    flange;-   Ref. 11 is an O-ring in the groove at the midsection of the    self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref 12 is the beveled edge at the posterior end of the self-sealing    closet flange.

The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange includes an attachedbolt with the bolt head flush to the bottom side of the anterior end ofthe self-sealing closet flange and the shank of the bolt directed abovethe top side of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. AnO-ring groove is positioned between the center opening and the outeredge of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. Immediatelybelow the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is themidsection of the self-sealing closet flange. The midsection is asection of flange that is a similar circumference as the center opening.Water or waste would flow from the toilet, through the center openingand through the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. A keeperring is positioned on the outer surface of the self-sealing closetflange. The keeper ring is a ring of protrusions or teeth surround theoutside of the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange. As theself-sealing closet flange is inserted into the drain pipe, the teethwill fold inward to facilitate insertion of the self-sealing closetflange into the drain pipe. If the self-sealing closet flange is pulledin an upward direction in an attempt to remove the self-sealing closetflange, the teeth will fold or bend outward and prevent the removal ofthe self-sealing closet flange from the drain pipe. And the upwardpulling force increases, the teeth will continue to plant themselves inthe outer surface of the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange.The teeth may be rounded, rectangular, pointed, serrated or any othershape that would serve a similar purpose.

In this embodiment, a secondary groove and O-ring are positionedimmediately below the keeper ring on the outer surface of the midsectionof the self-sealing closet flange. The secondary O-ring fills any spaceexisting between the interior of the drain pipe and the exterior of theself-sealing closet flange. The size of the O-ring will be determined bythe amount of space existing between the interior of the drain pipe andthe exterior of the self-sealing closet flange. The secondary O-ringshould be of sufficient girth to prevent the escape of any noxious gasesor waste fluids from the drain pipe. The posterior end of theself-sealing closet flange is located immediately below the midsectionof the self-sealing closet flange. The bottom of the posterior end ofthe self-sealing closet flange is of a slightly smaller diameter thanthe midsection or the center opening. The smaller size of the bottomallows for straightforward insertion of the self-sealing closet flangeinto the drain pipe. In addition, the bottom of the posterior end mayalso be beveled or notched to increase the flexibility of the posteriorend as it is inserted into a possibly tight drain pipe.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the entire self-sealing closet flange,not in position with a toilet, floor surface and drain pipe.

In FIG. 4, Ref. I is the center opening of the self-sealing closetflange;

-   Ref. 2 is the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 3 is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref 4 is the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 5 is an attached bolt at the anterior end of the self-sealing    closet flange;-   Ref 6 is the groove at the anterior end of the self-scaling closet    flange;-   Ref. 8 is the keeper ring at the midsection of the self-sealing    closet flange;-   Ref. 9 is a protrusion of the keeper ring;-   Ref. 10 is the groove in the midsection of the self-sealing closet    flange;-   Ref. 12 is the beveled edge at the posterior end of the self-scaling    closet flange.

The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange includes an attachedbolt with the bolt head flush to the bottom side of the anterior end ofthe self-scaling closet flange and the shank of the bolt directed. abovethe top side of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. AnO-ring groove is positioned between the center opening and the outeredge of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. Immediatelybelow the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is themidsection of the self-sealing closet flange. The midsection is asection of flange that is a similar circumference as the center opening.Water or waste would flow from the toilet, through the center openingand through the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange.

A keeper ring is positioned on the outer surface of the self-sealingcloset flange. As the self-sealing closet flange is inserted into thedrain pipe, the teeth will fold inward to facilitate insertion of theself-sealing closet flange into the drain pipe. If the self-sealingcloset flange is pulled in an upward direction in an attempt to removethe self-sealing closet flange, the teeth will fold or bend outward andprevent the removal of the self-sealing closet flange from the drainpipe. A secondary groove and O-ring are positioned immediately below thekeeper ring on the outer surface of the midsection of the self-sealingcloset flange and fill any space existing between the interior of thedrain pipe and the exterior of the self-sealing closet flange. Thesecondary O-ring should be of sufficient girth to prevent the escape ofany noxious gases or waste fluids from the drain pipe. The bottom of theposterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is of a slightly smallerdiameter than the midsection or the center opening allowing forstraightforward insertion of the self-sealing closet flange into thedrain pipe. In addition, the bottom of the posterior end may also bebeveled or notched to increase the flexibility of the posterior end asit is inserted into a possibly tight drain pipe.

FIG. 5 is an interior, cut away view of the self-sealing closet flange,showing an alternative embodiment for placement on the outside of adrain pipe, which shows the anterior end, midsection, and posterior endof the self-sealing closet flange.

In FIG. 5, Ref. I is the center opening of the self-sealing closetflange;

-   Ref. 2 is the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 3 is the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 4 is the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 5 is an attached bolt at the anterior end of the self-sealing    closet flange;-   Ref. 6 is the groove at the anterior end of the self-sealing closet    flange;-   Ref. 7 is an O-ring in the groove at the anterior end of the    self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 8 is the keeper ring at the midsection of the self-sealing    closet flange;-   Ref 9 is a protrusion of the keeper ring;-   Ref. 10 is the groove in the midsection of the self-sealing closet    flange;-   Ref. 11 is an O-ring in the groove at the midsection of the    self-sealing closet flange;-   Ref. 12 is the beveled edge at the posterior end of the self-sealing    closet flange.

The anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange includes an attachedbolt with the bolt head flush to the bottom side of the anterior end ofthe self-sealing closet flange, and the shank of the bolt directed abovethe top side of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. AnO-ring groove is positioned between the center opening and the outeredge of the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange. Immediatelybelow the anterior end of the self-sealing closet flange is themidsection of the self-sealing closet flange. The midsection is asection of flange that has a similar circumference as the centeropening. Water or waste would flow from the toilet, through the centeropening, and through the midsection of the self-sealing closet flange.

In this embodiment, the keeper ring is positioned on the inner surfaceof the self-sealing closet flange. As the self-sealing closet flange isplaced onto the outside of the drain pipe, the teeth will fold outwardto facilitate insertion of the self-sealing closet flange onto theoutside of the drain pipe. If the self-sealing closet flange is pulledin an upward direction in an attempt to remove the self-sealing closetflange, the teeth will fold or bend inward, against the outside of thedrain pipe, and prevent the removal of the self-sealing closet flangefrom the drain pipe. A secondary groove and O-ring are positionedimmediately below the keeper ring on the inner surface of the midsectionof the self-sealing closet flange and fill any space existing betweenthe exterior of the drain pipe and the interior of the self-sealingcloset flange. The secondary O-ring should be of sufficient girth toprevent the escape of any noxious gases or waste fluids from the drainpipe. The bottom of the posterior end of the self-sealing closet flangeis of a slightly smaller diameter than the midsection or the centeropening, threby allowing for straightforward insertion of theself-sealing closet flange onto the drain pipe. In addition, the bottomof the posterior end may also be beveled or notched to increase theflexibility of the posterior end as it is inserted onto a possibly tightdrain pipe.

In view of the foregoing detailed description of preferred embodimentsof the present invention, it readily will be understood by those personsskilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to broadutility and application. While various aspects have been described inthe context of a preferred embodiment, additional aspects, features, andmethodologies of the present invention will be readily discernibletherefrom any embodiments and adaptations of the present invention otherthan those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications,and equivalent arrangements and methodologies, will be apparent from orreasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoingdescription thereof, without departing from the substance or scope ofthe present invention. Additionally, any sequence or order of steps ofvarious methods described and claimed herein are those considered to bethe best mode for the present invention. However, it should beunderstood that the steps may be carried out in any particular sequenceor order or even simultaneously, absent a specific indication of such toachieve a particular result. Accordingly, while the present inventionhas been described herein in detail in relation to preferredembodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is onlyillustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merelyfor purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of theinvention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended nor is it to beconstrued to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude anysuch other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications andequivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by theclaims below and their equivalents.

What is claimed:
 1. A closet flange system for connecting a toilet to adrain, said closet flange system comprising: a rim with at least oneopening, wherein said rim consists of an upper surface and a lowersurface; a tube with a first end and a second end; and at least onebolt.